When exploring the realm of rugged outdoor smartwatches, the Garmin Instinct series stands out for its blend of durability and functionality.
With the release of the Garmin Instinct 2, you might be weighing its advantages against the original Garmin Instinct.
Understanding the differences between these two can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your outdoor and fitness needs.
The original Garmin Instinct carved a niche for itself with its robust build and array of tracking features suited for the adventurous.
It offered a reliable GPS experience, a heart rate monitor, and various preloaded activity profiles necessary for outdoor activities. Battery life was impressive, making it a solid choice for extensive use without frequent recharging.
With the second generation, the Garmin Instinct 2, enhancements have been made in design, battery longevity, and the breadth of sports modes tracked. Moreover, it brings compatibility with Connect IQ, which suggests an improvement in customization and smart capabilities.
This range also introduces a variety of options and sizes, fitting more wrists and preferences.
Whether these updates justify the upgrade depends on how you prioritize these advancements in conjunction with the cost difference from the first-generation model.
Garmin Instinct Series Overview
When you consider the Garmin Instinct Series, you’re looking at a product line defined by its rugged design and adaptability.
The series encompasses a range of models tailored to different activities and preferences.
Design And Durability
Garmin Instinct features a sturdy build with a 45mm case diameter, catering to a demanding outdoor lifestyle.
It’s not just about size; your watch is designed to withstand the elements, complying with U.S. military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
With the Garmin Instinct 2, you have the option for a smaller 40mm case, making it a more versatile fit for different wrist sizes without sacrificing durability.
The Instinct 2 carries forward the tradition of a tough design while bringing in new features and innovations.
- Rugged GPS watch built to withstand the toughest environments.Supported Application:Phone. . Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- Constructed to U.S. Military standard 810G for thermal, shock and water resistance (rated to 100 meters)
- Built in 3 axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) support helps track in more challenging environments than GPS alone
- Monitor your estimated heart rate, activity and stress; Train with preloaded activity profiles. Strap material: Silicone
- Stay connected with smart notifications (with a compatible smartphone) and automatic data uploads to the Garmin connect online fitness community
- Rugged GPS smartwatch is water-rated to 100 meters and thermal- and shock resistant with fiber-reinforced polymer case and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass
- Battery life: up to 28 days in smartwatch mode; up to 30 hours in GPS mode
- Live the ultimate connected life with smart notifications and Connect IQ compatibility when paired with your compatible smartphone.
- Track your adventures with the built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter, plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo)
- Understand your body better with all-day health monitoring features that track your heart rate, sleep, Pulse Ox, respiration and more (Pulse Ox not available in all countries. This device is intended to give an estimation of your activity and metrics; it is not a medical device)
Special Editions
Within the Garmin Instinct Series, you can find special editions tailored to specific activities:
- Tactical Edition: Designed with military features in mind, like night vision compatibility and stealth mode.
- Surf Edition: Geared towards surfers, with tide data and a dedicated surfing activity profile.
- Camo Edition: Offers a unique camouflage design, aligning with outdoor aesthetics and activities.
Each edition retains the core qualities of the Instinct Series but is enhanced with additional features to suit your specialized needs.
Key Features Compared
When choosing between the Garmin Instinct and Instinct 2, it’s essential to consider the upgrades and enhancements in several key areas.
Here, you’ll find a focused comparison of the most notable features between the two models.
Display and Resolution
The Garmin Instinct series maintains a monochrome, sunlight-visible display, ensuring clear visibility in outdoor conditions.
While both the Instinct 1 and Instinct 2 share similar display types, the Instinct 2 may offer improved resolution, providing sharper graphics and easier readability.
Navigation Tools
The Garmin Instinct watches come equipped with multiple navigation features.
Both models include GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite networks, ensuring robust location tracking across various environments.
They also feature a barometric altimeter and a 3-axis compass to aid your navigation excursions.
Health and Fitness Tracking
Your fitness tracking needs are well served with both models providing a heart rate monitor, VO2 max estimations, and monitoring of other health metrics.
The Instinct 2 may introduce new or updated sensors, such as a pulse oximeter, to track your blood oxygen levels and advances in sleep score and body battery energy monitoring for a comprehensive view of your wellness.
- Heart Rate: Continuous monitoring to gauge workout intensity.
- VO2 Max: Estimates the maximum oxygen uptake during intense activities.
- Body Battery: Evaluates your energy levels using heart-rate variability, stress, sleep, and other data.
- Sleep Score: Assesses the quality of your sleep to aid in recovery insights.
Smartwatch Capabilities
The Instinct series offers smartwatch features that allow you to stay connected on the go.
While both the original Instinct and Instinct 2 support smart notifications, the second generation may offer enhanced smartwatch mode battery life and additional apps through Garmin’s Connect IQ store, improving the overall user experience.
- Smart Notifications: Stay updated with alerts from your smartphone.
- Smartwatch Mode: Extended battery life for daily smartwatch use.
- Connect IQ: Access to downloadable watch faces, data fields, widgets, and apps.
Battery Performance
When comparing the Garmin Instinct series, battery performance is a significant factor, especially when selecting a device for extended outdoor activities.
The Garmin Instinct 2 boasts an improved battery life and innovative solar charging features compared to its predecessor.
Solar Charging Capabilities
The Garmin Instinct 2 introduces solar models equipped with solar panels on the watch face. These models utilize solar power to extend battery life considerably.
With solar charging, your watch can maintain its charge for longer periods during outdoor exposure to sunlight.
The solar versions cater to prolonged adventures without the need for regular charging.
- Instinct 1: No solar charging capabilities
- Instinct 2: Solar models with photovoltaic solar panels
Battery Saver Modes
Both the Garmin Instinct and Instinct 2 come with battery saver modes that extend the devices’ usability between charges.
- Instinct 1: Standard battery saver options
- Instinct 2: Refined battery saver modes, including a Jacket mode which allows operation with reduced GPS usage
The original Garmin Instinct offers a respectable battery life of up to 14 days in smartwatch mode.
In contrast, the latest Instinct 2 significantly increases this duration to up to 28 days for the standard model and potentially infinite battery life in certain conditions for the solar models.
The solar models also provide a staggering 48 hours of GPS that can be extended indefinitely in expedition GPS mode.
- Instinct 1: Up to 14 days in smartwatch mode
- Instinct 2:
- Standard: Up to 28 days in smartwatch mode
- Solar: Infinite battery life in smartwatch mode with solar exposure, and extended GPS usage
By including solar charging and sophisticated battery saver modes, the Garmin Instinct 2 ensures that your device can keep up with your endurance, minimizing the worry of losing connection or tracking capabilities on your expeditions.
Wearable Technology
When choosing between the Garmin Instinct 1 and 2, understanding the specifics of sizes and materials is crucial to ensure you select a watch that suits your needs and stands up to your lifestyle.
Sizes and Fit
Your comfort with the Garmin Instinct series is directly influenced by the sizes available.
The original Garmin Instinct typically features a 45mm case, which is versatile enough for a range of wrist sizes but may be more suitable if you have a larger wrist.
On the other hand, the Garmin Instinct 2 includes a 40mm case option, which is ideal if you prefer a more compact watch or have smaller wrists.
Materials and Build
Both the Garmin Instinct 1 and 2 are built to be tough.
They adhere to military standards for toughness, meaning they are designed to withstand challenging environments.
The screen is protected by chemically-strengthened glass, but the Garmin Instinct 2 took it a step further by incorporating Gorilla Glass, which offers improved scratch resistance and durability.
Here’s a quick comparison of their build:
| Feature | Garmin Instinct 1 | Garmin Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 45mm | 40mm & 45mm |
| Wrist Size | Larger wrists | All wrist sizes |
| Military Standard | Yes | Yes |
| Glass Type | Standard | Gorilla Glass |
Remember to assess each feature carefully against your daily activities and preferences to ensure you choose a watch that fits well and meets your standards for resilience.
Connectivity and Integration
When comparing the Garmin Instinct models, you’ll find that both offer a suite of connectivity features that enhance your user experience.
The crucial differences revolve around the integration of certain software capabilities and the advancements in connectivity options with smartphones and accessories.
Garmin Connect Features
Your Garmin Instinct syncs data with Garmin Connect, a comprehensive platform that captures your activities, health metrics, and personal records.
Detailed insights are within reach, allowing you to monitor your performance trends and improvements over time.
Both the first-generation Instinct and Instinct 2 leverage Garmin Connect, but the Instinct 2 may offer more refined data-syncing efficiency and potentially additional insights, given advancements in the device’s sensors and software.
- Widgets and Notifications: In Garmin Connect, you can customize widgets and view phone notifications. The Instinct 2 has expanded widget support compared to the original Instinct.
- Garmin Connect IQ: Access to Connect IQ store is a differentiator for the Instinct 2, enabling you to download custom watch faces, data fields, and apps to your device, which is not available with the original Instinct.
Wireless Connectivity
Both Instinct models are equipped with essential wireless connectivity to ensure seamless communication with external devices and online platforms.
- Bluetooth: Robust Bluetooth connectivity is standard, allowing for the integration with both Android and iOS smartphones for notification sharing and app syncing.
- ANT+: You’ll find ANT+ support in both models, facilitating the connection with a variety of fitness equipment and sensors to track your workouts more accurately.
In terms of integration upgrades, the Instinct 2 improves on some of the limitations found in the original Instinct.
With the inclusion of the Connect IQ store, your customization and functionality options broaden substantially, giving you more control over your Garmin ecosystem.
Activity Tracking and Sports
When considering the Garmin Instinct series, you’ll find comprehensive support for your sports and activities.
From tracking daily workouts to specialized sports profiles, these watches are designed to be your reliable partner in a multitude of athletic pursuits.
Multisport Functions
Both the Garmin Instinct and the Garmin Instinct 2 offer multisport tracking capabilities, so you can seamlessly switch activities during a workout.
For example, if you’re a triathlete, your watch will track your performance from swimming to cycling to running without missing a beat.
- Instinct 1: Includes essential multisport profiles.
- Instinct 2: Enhances the experience with additional profiles and features like sports apps and customizable data pages for real-time performance stats.
Swimming, Cycling, and Running
The Garmin Instinct watches cater to swimmers, cyclists, and runners with dedicated tracking and metrics.
Swimming: Both models feature swim profiles, stroke detection, and pace tracking. However, the Instinct 2 introduces advanced metrics such as heart-rate detection from the wrist underwater.
| Feature | Instinct 1 | Instinct 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Swim | Yes | Yes |
| Open Water | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate | No | Yes (wrist) |
Cycling: You can expect both watches to provide outdoor cycling metrics, but the Instinct 2 supports additional cycling profiles such as mountain biking and is compatible with Garmin’s cycling accessories for even more detailed data.
Running: The fundamental running features are present in both devices. However, the Instinct 2 advances with features like running dynamics when used with additional sensors for extensive analysis of your running form.
Outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate the specific profiles for activities like hiking and surfing, present in both watches. For the tactical-minded, the tactical and camo editions offer specialized military features, while those into high-intensity interval training will benefit from the HIIT workout profiles.
If you’re interested in personalized training guidance, the Instinct 2 gives you daily suggested workouts to keep your fitness journey on track.
Smart Features and Payments
In the realm of wearable tech, your Garmin Instinct watch is not only a tool for fitness tracking but also an extension of your smartphone’s smart features, including the convenience of mobile payments.
Mobile Payments and Security
Garmin Pay is Garmin’s contactless payment solution that allows you to make purchases with your watch. If you own a Garmin Instinct 2, you can use Garmin Pay at supported terminals as it is equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities.
This feature is not available on the original Garmin Instinct. To use Garmin Pay, you simply add your credit card to your Garmin Connect account and activate the wallet feature on your watch.
For security, Garmin Pay requires you to create a 4-digit passcode that must be entered to access the wallet on your device, adding a layer of security to your transactions.
Additional Smartwatch Functions
In addition to making payments, your Garmin Instinct 2 offers a variety of smartwatch functions.
You receive smartphone notifications directly on your wrist, such as text messages, calls, and app alerts, provided your smartwatch is paired with a compatible smartphone.
You can stay connected and discreetly screen incoming information without ever having to reach for your phone.
For safety, the Garmin Instinct 2 includes an SOS or kill switch feature, which can be imperative in emergency situations.
This can be set up to send your location to emergency contacts if necessary. The original Garmin Instinct lacks the kill switch feature but retains the basic smart notifications functionality.
By utilizing these smart features effectively, you enhance the utility of your Garmin Instinct watch beyond just fitness tracking, and can enjoy the added benefits of connectivity and convenience right from your wrist.
Accessibility and Pricing
When considering the Garmin Instinct models, you should be aware of their market availability and how the pricing tiers differ between the original and the second generation devices.
Market Availability
- Garmin Instinct 1: This model has been out for several years and since the release of its successor, it has become more accessible through various retailers. Availability can fluctuate, but you’re likely to encounter the original Instinct on sale, especially from third-party sellers that may offer used or refurbished units.
- Garmin Instinct 2: The Instinct 2s are the newer models on the market, meaning you’ll find them readily available directly from Garmin or at authorized dealers. Different editions, such as the standard and tactical editions, are typically in stock, giving you a range of choices.
Price Points and Value
- Standard Instinct 1 Prices: You can expect to find the Instinct 1 at competitive prices, often between $100-$150 for used or refurbished models. Keep an eye out for sales which may further lower this cost.
- Instinct 2 Costs: The pricing for new Instinct 2 watches is higher due to their updated features and technology. Depending on the edition and retailer, prices can be approximately 2–3 times higher than the first generation models.
When assessing value, consider the Instinct 2 for its upgraded features and the Instinct 1 if seeking a budget-friendly option with a good track record.
